P L Y M O U T H   R O C K

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Sight: #26

Highlights: Old, historical rock covered by cool greek temple-like structure sporting ionic columns.

Lowlights: The rock is somewhat defective, it has a huge crack in it!

Location: Plymouth Rock State Park, Plymouth, MA

Hours: Located outdoors in a public area, it's accessable 7 x 24.

Access: By foot.

Link: Official Website

Rating:

(5 max)

I approach the fancy, temple-like enclosure that showcases Plymouth Rock. My pulse quickens with each and every step, and all the while I'm thinking back to my early days. As a kid in grade school, teachers drummed into my head the importance and historical significance of this famous rock. It's the place where the Pilgrims first set foot after their long, ocean-crossing voyage. Heck, it's been referred to as the Cornerstone of the Nation.

Wow, I'm really revved up now. Have you ever had the feeling that you're about to experience one of those first sights that you'll never forget. Like the first glimpse of your newborn child, or maybe the first look into the cavernous Grand Canyon. I feel Plymouth Rock has the potential of being just such a sight.

Now at the railing, I peer down and witness the glory of Plymouth Rock! It's sitting on the beach. And it has the date of 1620 chiseled into it. And it has a big crack in it. And. And. And. Ummm, it's just a plain, gray rock. Hmmm. This isn't *sigh* quite the finale I has hoping for. Oh well.

Adding further salt to my wound, I learn some disturbing facts about Plymouth Rock. It really wasn't the first bit of land the Pilgrims stepped upon when they exited The Mayflower. Accounts that describe the first landing make no mention of a rock. In fact, the first mention of Plymouth Rock in literature is 100 years later, yes, that's right, 100 years later. I'm feeling rather deceived at the moment. Makes me wonder what else I learned in social studies class that's just a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Maybe Lewis and Clark were really women, and maybe Lincoln wasn't really shot at Ford's Theater, rather, he accidentially tumbled over the balcony railing.